Classic Rock meets Courtroom drama — why Pandora says it can play anything it wants prior to 1972. Fret Pen: it’s the guitar you can stuff in your pocket. We’ll introduce you to the kickstarted program designed to shred big by going small. The weirdest records of all time — including one you play for your plants. And— an G&B update on #gnbmugtour2014 and our massive milestones. Plus: the real story behind a Boy Named Sue and Tainted Love. The post A Dodo Named Sue appeared first on The Geeks...
Apr 23, 2014•38 min
It's (not) a Very Special Episode of Geeks & Beats. The post Jet Setting Cross appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth .
Apr 16, 2014•2 min
In a first in the long and storied history of the G&B media empire, we took our show on the road and recorded everything at the Downtown Record Show on Broadview in Toronto. And much to our shock, people showed up to say hello and to claim their super-limited-edition G&B stickers. The post Live on Location appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth ....
Apr 09, 2014•38 min
It’s a sign of the apocalypse! Kate Bush returns to the stage – and Alan might have back-stage passes. Hacking Spotify for fun and profit. We’ll tell you about a band that’s funding its tour while you sleep. That music video you made of your kid might make the musician more money than the one they professionally produced. And we’ll tell you how to stream music through your home without wires – or electrical outlets. Plus: the finalists in our camcorder contest, how you can be an employee of the ...
Mar 26, 2014•39 min
IN A WORLD WHERE DEEP VOICES ARE KING… ONE MAN IS BEING HAILED AS A HERO TO VOICEOVER ARTISTS EVERYWHERE. We’ll look back at the life of famed v/o god Hal Douglas. A big-band connection to that missing airplane of a bygone era as the search continues for a Malaysian Airlines flight 3-70. Neil Young’s portable music player – panned. But that hasn’t stopped thousands from investing 4-million dollars into Pono. Plus – more great entries in our Sony Camcorder giveaway and why America has an obsessio...
Mar 19, 2014•44 min
The history of recorded music in 90 seconds -- using a rube Goldberg machine. The Simpsons as an oracle: we’ll look at the 25 year old TV show’s big predictions for technology today. Science determines whether your band is hipster – using a mathematical formula. You’ve probably never heard of it. And I for one welcome our new borg drummer overlords. Plus: a geeks and beats update on our sony camcorder giveaway, Apple’s Carplay in action, and why Huey Lewis is dead to me – but the news lives on. ...
Mar 12, 2014•47 min
Bruce Dickinson -- the Bruce Dickinson -- has gone from Iron Maiden to piloting The World's Biggest Blimp? 20 terrifying two sentence horror stories -- including one that will keep any new parent up at night. We'll introduce you to the only bluetooth speaker appropriate for Wonder Woman, and we'll tell you what the most sampled song is of all time (and you'll never guess what it is). Plus: A G&B update on your wacky Sony Camcorder giveaway and why Michael's getting a body cavity search when ...
Mar 05, 2014•47 min
A musical mash-up to get your toes tapping – we’ll look at the marriage of Daft Punk and Pharrell… then follow the money. Now you don’t have to choose between smoking and talking on the phone. We’ll introduce you to a new gadget that combines both. 30-thousand dollars well spent. On a waterbed. On this week’s Ask Alan Anything we’ll find out if the musicians you hate are making money off your streaming music choices. plus: a geeks and beats update on our outrageously complicated sony camcorder g...
Feb 26, 2014•42 min
Here comes the iCar. We’ll round up the rumours after the real world Tony Stark is seen leaving “1 Infinite Loop” in a Tesla. We’re less than a year away from Back to the Future 2 – and still no hoverboard. But the shoes are coming. More isolated vocal fun. We’ll strip away the instruments on Ziggy Stardust to reveal David Bowie’s pre-autotune glory. Rennaissance Butt Music. How a university student brought a 500 year old painting to life. Plus: the big G&B giveaway. We’ll tell you how you c...
Feb 19, 2014•48 min
The Top Ten Anti-Valentines Day songs. And a bonus track: how to use a floppy drive to express your hatred for the one you love. Who has time to listen to a full 4 and a half minute song? We’ll introduce you to a radio station format that packs 24 songs into a single hour and still has room for commercials. Bob Marley’s son is roasting something – and it’s not his brain. How the former member of the Ottawa Rough Riders keeps his caffeine level up. Stream music throughout your house for 100 bucks...
Feb 12, 2014•49 min
Experiment 4 by Kate Bush isn’t fiction – there’s an actual sound system that kills – and it’s used by the European Space Agency. The sun is setting on the iPod. We’ll look back at what’s replacing the once ubiquitous MP3 player. Forget vibrate: set your phone to scent. Why you might want to wake to the smell of coffee even if you’re not into java. How big is Youtube when it comes to music? Bigger than you think. The post Experiment V appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross...
Feb 05, 2014•48 min
The little man Steve Jobs wanted to hide in every Macintosh. We’ll look back at the iconic computer and look ahead to a world where Apple rivals American Express. The world’s first twitter libel lawsuit. We’ll tell you how Alan got Courtney Love Off. How big is too big for the palm of your hand? We’ll look at the latest rumoured iPhone. In this week’s Ask Alan Anything: the Sonos sound system – reviewed. Plus: 22 minutes for goat joke, G&B listeners chime in on the “best driving song ever” a...
Jan 29, 2014•42 min
How much money can a mega hit make? That depends on whether or not you’re playing the saxophone. The Best Driving Song Ever. We’ll reluctantly run down the list and throw in the worst driving song for good measure. Will you genuflect at the altar of Kanye West? There’s now a church in his name. Waking up five miles high – NASA’s list of tracks used to rouse astronauts from their weightless slumbers was largely thanks to a Canadian. Booth babes – not the money magnets you’d expect. We’ll tell you...
Jan 22, 2014•38 min
The self-parking, auto-braking, connected car. We’ll tell you why the future is closer than you might think. More streaming music services are coming – including one from Doctor Dre. And I’ll tell you about my experience running into 50 Cent’s entourage. In this week’s Ask Alan Anything: the most successful rock vocalist with the least amount of musical talent. Meantime, Microsoft tries to convince Weezer fans to buy Surface tablets. Plus: a G&B update on a big win for the National Music Cen...
Jan 15, 2014•39 min
The World's Most Popular Podcast(tm) broadcasts LIVE from the floor of the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, baby, Vegas! This week Michael reports on an Internet connected toothbrush and Alan bristles (get it? Hah!), tries on a dog collar that beams health data to your vet, and learns why germ killing Gorilla Glass is only part of the solution for Mr. germaphobe Cross. Also, Android is coming to a car near you -- and why the radio business needs to pay attention. The post On a Short Leash...
Jan 08, 2014•38 min
Keeping that New Year's Resolution to get fit is the most likely promise to yourself you're going to break in 2014. So why not turn to the Canadian fitness power couple most likely to keep you on track? The post Hal Johnson of Body Break appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth .
Jan 04, 2014•14 min
Things you forgot happened in 20-13. We’ll look at three words that made it into the dictionary last year and why we’ll spend all of 20-14 making up for it. We’ll look at some exciting Kickstarter projects for the new year – including a self propelling bicycle and an app that takes driving your car to a whole new level. Hal Johnson of Bodybreak and The Amazing Race joins us to tell us how to keep that new year’s resolution using technology – and why hitting the gym is only half the battle. How r...
Jan 01, 2014•45 min
Christmas music, believe it or not, is a proven ratings winner. That's why there's a radio station in Toronto that flips the switch and goes all Christmas music in, like, March. I hate it. You hate it. The post What’s the deal with All Christmas Music radio stations? appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth ....
Jan 01, 2014•2 min
I called up my TV Buddy and Doctor Whovian Teddy Wilson of InnerSpace to fill in the blanks for Alan ahead of the All Important Christmas Episode of Doctor Who. The post InnerSpace’s Teddy Wilson on Doctor Who appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth .
Dec 23, 2013•11 min
The world’s most infamous mayor gets run over by a reindeer. We’ll play you the the Rob Ford Christmas Parody of 2013. How the stores manipulate you with music to get you to buy more at Christmas – and the rest of the year. Meantime, the Whovians down in whoville aren’t excited to open their stockings – they’re looking forward to a new Doctor. Teddy Wilson of Space will help my “Grinchy” Doctor Who hearts grow three sizes this day. Geeks and Beats updates on race to make AC/DC the number Christm...
Dec 18, 2013•41 min
William Shatner has lost track of how many record albums he's made. It's 4. Or 5. His latest is Pondering the Mystery and it's pretty ponderous. He and Alan are buddies. They toured together across Canada. So Alan called him up to talk about his latest musical venture. The post William Shatner on Progressive Rock appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth ....
Dec 12, 2013•24 min
At this moment, Alan Cross is sunning himself in the Carribean. So instead we bring you an interview he recently did with William Shatner. Alan just calls the guy up to talk about his new album. Yes, that's right: Captain Kirk has a progressive rock album out. The post A Big Shat Attack appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth .
Dec 11, 2013•28 min
Janet from (just outside) Toronto has a bucket list. And on that list is "Article published in Rolling Stone Magazine". She's got a great idea, but just doesn't know what it's going to take to join the ranks of Hunter S. Thompson, et al. Al(an) has the answer. The post How do I get published by Rolling Stone Magazine? appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth ....
Dec 06, 2013•3 min
Miley Cyrus as Time Magazine’s “Person of the Year” – we’ll offer an alternative who did more for women in 2013 than Miley has done for tongues her entire life. How far would you walk for your favourite band? Meet the man who could have been inspired by the Proclaimers. Why Apple won’t win the car wars. It’s all about supplementing – not integrating – into your dashboard. Best Wedding Advice Ever. A G&B listener offers YouTube video advice. Plus: a G&B update on next week’s Shat-tastic e...
Dec 04, 2013•34 min
http://www.geeksandbeats.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/S02E33-Interview.mp3 When it became known that Ryerson University had no intention of honouring its commitment to rehang the Sam the Record Man signs after the City of Toronto gave them a great deal on the corner of Yonge and Gould where they once stood, music fans were furious. After extensive debate at City Hall about […] The post Bobby Sniderman on Saving the Sam the Record Man Sign appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan...
Nov 30, 2013•8 min
Livin’ on a Viral Video: Jon Bon Jovi’s New Jersey Anthem is back on the charts after 26 years. Also back? The Sam the Record Man Sign. We’ll speak to the son of the man behind Canada’s music industry icon. 50 years of Companions, Daleks and the music of Doctor Who. We’ll pull out a sonic screwdriver […] The post Sign of the Viral Times appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth ....
Nov 27, 2013•36 min
The Love Boat — not for atheists? The Captain of the television show classic makes a hard turn to starboard. Nothing says Christmas quite like AC/DC. Why British bookies are placing the odds of a holiday to hell at 3 to 1. Microsoft’s new XBox is X-Rated? We’ll tell you why you might want to […] The post Co-Producers in Love appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth ....
Nov 20, 2013•11 min
$300 could turn your next party into the worst party ever — or the best, depending on your opinion of Karaoke. We’ll introduce you to Singtrix. Here’s a cool idea for Google Glass: Watch the orchestra from the perspective of the Conductor (there’s a problem with that, but a sexy Cornell professor has a solution). […] The post How About No appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth ....
Nov 13, 2013•33 min
Headphones two-point-oh. We’ll introduce you to the replacement for your mini-jack. Meantime, Take the headphones off your belly, Moms-to-be. The latest numbers show there’s no benefit to playing music in utero. Worst. Year. Ever – at least for as long as Soundscan has been monitoring album sales. We’ll find out why. Canadian Songstress Michael Buble croons for Delta – and we pine for a better in-flight safety video. Plus: proof that bad news comes in threes. Lou Reed’s last photo. And why fish ...
Nov 06, 2013•38 min
Lawrence from Edmonton, AB, asks what's the deal with Lou Reed's 1976 album Metal Machine Music? "I've heard people have gone crazy listening to the album while on drugs." The post What’s the deal with Lou Reed’s Metal Machine Music? appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth .
Nov 06, 2013•5 min
